Tanner's Notes

I've Moved

2009-08-02T21:56:00.002-07:00

You will be redirected to my new blog & website (!) in 5 seconds. If not please click here to go to TannerKent.com

Hello Everyone, if you are still there... Yes I am alive and well. I just stopped blogging one day and I kinda miss it. Anyways my new blog & website (!) is TannerKent.com I am slowly working on it, piece by piece. Look forward to some very exciting things, and lots of great photography!

You will be redirected to my new blog & website (!) in 5 seconds. If not please click here to go to TannerKent.com

Happy First day of Autumn!

2008-09-22T21:10:00.002-07:00

I can now officially display my beautiful table runner from Karen! I will take a pic soon! I am kinda on a technology boycott. I have had various issues that of course can only be solved with $$... I hope to have everything functional and out of sight so I am not tempted to "fix" (aka break) it. There is this little voice in my head that says, "things can be so much better, if only you try this." Which of course ends up with me spending four hours trying to undo my latest "fix".

Expect lots and lots of pictures because this Saturday I am going to Tucson's annual Reptile Show!!! I am sooooooo excited!!! I went last year, and it was a tad overwhelming, but this year it is in a MUCH bigger space and is supposed to be amazing!

Wow!

2008-09-08T22:00:00.002-07:00

Today has been emotional roller coaster! Ill spare you the details- well most of them anyways! The absolute highest point in my day was coming home, reading my blogs and discovering that I had one Karen's 50th post giveaway (ill do one at 100 I promise!) She was giving away an Autumn table runner, which I have adored since she first posted it on her blog .

Isnt it great? Thanks Karen!

I didnt have any time this week to do some quilting, but a friend of mine is graduating soon and I really want to make him something special. I have this perfect picture in my head of what I want to make but cant make it materialize. I want to do a big cap in the center and either do a bunch of pictures (printed on fabric) around the cap or do something like this:

(not my picture, someone else took it, someone else made it, sorry I cant remember who)

I think in the center I could do a 5 x 5 of photos and instead of the Heart-string type border I could use this great fabric I know Jo-anns has that is very similar.

Does anyone have/know of a free graduation cap pattern? Thanks!!

I'm in LOVE!

2008-08-29T23:24:00.002-07:00

I got my DQS4 quilt and I had to share!!!
My neighbors probably think im insane! I opened up the mailbox and reached in without looking and immediately yelled "squishy!" I think that came to mind because it was in a manila envelope and I could feel it inside moving around. I tore it open with haste and was completely blown away! It is AMAZING! The colors, the patterns of fabric and everything is so perfect! I am completely speechless so as a picture is worth 1000 words im good for 5000!

I torn between framing it or not.... The textures are great and I love to sit and just feel it! My happy place has a new addition. Its so amazing to feel the love, time, and effort put into it!

Look at the goodies that Susan was soooo kind to include!

I love the fabric and I can already think of projects to use it...

Susan (aka) chickenfoot did an BREATH-TAKING! job and I am love.

Blog Bookmarks-

2008-08-24T16:58:00.002-07:00

If you look to the right of my blog → under the blogs I read you can find my "bookmarks". When I want to note a post from one of the 201 (!) blogs I read I write a little comment and bookmark it. I usually bookmarks quilts I like- and blocks I like so its great to get an idea of my swap preferences....

Scoliosis-

2008-08-19T21:33:00.003-07:00

Long story short-
I was diagnosed with Scoliosis last year and go annually to see if there is any progression. This year I had a different dr. who- lets just say we didnt see eye to eye. I go to see an orthopedic surgeon (its not at a surgical state, by any means) because *frankly* he was too lazy to refer me to the radiology department to get an x-ray like what happened before. Anyways, I had to get my old x-rays to show the orthopedic surgeon and was expecting a large manilla folder... we got a CD instead. Well I was at home thinking it is after all my medical records so I can open it if I want. This thing was incredibly high tech! It had a special viewer, with all the bells and wistles in the world, and even had all of the radiologists notes. So above is my complete spine. I have *simply put* an S shape between my two shoulders, and an obvious curve in my lumbar region. The maximum degree of curvature is 20 degrees.

----- Here is where I get on my soap box-------

I went years and years and years with out anything... doctors visits, school nurse visits, everything.... with out any one saying bend over let me look at your spine. At school we had hearing tests, eye tests, dental checks, which took much longer than simply bending over. I went in to my primary dr. (before I knew I had scoliosis) and was complaining of back-pain. He was like, let me test you for scoliosis. I was envisioning many different tests each worse then the last. All I had to do was bend over, and he said, "yep! you have scoliosis."

Parents at your child's next drs. visit ask for a scoliosis test. It takes all of 30 seconds, and can do so much good! Being proactive is worth it!

-So much for short... Dont worry my next post will be back on topic!

Its been one of those weeks-

2008-08-19T21:05:00.002-07:00

Yea... Im sitting here typing this with 3 our of 4 light bulbs working (I know exciting blog right?!) It went out Saturday and I still haven't gotten around changing it.
I have been sick since Wednesday of last week, and have been insanely unmotivated.
All I can say is- Its been one of those weeks.

I am signed up for the following swaps-
DQS4- Which is due in the mail by Sept. 1st-
- I have started machine quilting it and it shouldnt be too hard and I can finish it this weekend...
SSCS- Due by 25 Nov. no earlier than Nov. 10.
I have some ideas for this...
ALQS- Due by Nov. 10-
This is going to be great because I picked who I was going to receive my creation (poor person!)

Speaking of making things-
Go HERE! and vote- not necessarily for me. I know they are all better! I bet you can tell which one I like *cough lime green and cool blue!*

Summer Wrap-up! (IUFG)

2008-08-10T14:48:00.003-07:00

Hi all! Alas it is that time of year! I have all of the quilting and crafting stuff cleaned up and placed in easy to reach places so during the weekend (and any free time during the week) I can pull it out and get to work! Summer seemed to go by so fast, of course it didn't help that I took a month long class over the summer- yea I am that much of an over achiever!

I want to get over my fear of hand quilting by doing this. So I just had to buy this fabric!

I cant decide if I should try to hand quilt the entire thing- about 3' x 4' or chop it into the smaller squares----

and for backing (the boo! orange)

I love the borders-

and one- yea I know sad, I hope to work on it more during the week- 9 patch for the Sudoku quilt-

I found a backing/sashing-

In my quest for bobbins- I bought 4 class 66 bobbins- I opened them tried them in my bobbin case and they dont fit- if you can use these comment below- one lucky random commenter will get these.

* IUFG stands for Item up for grabs- kinda like a mini giveaway- we might be having more of these!

grr- Picasa is giving me a nightmare- I wanted to import one picture and selected something wrong and it is reimporting all of my pictures-- grrr

Sewing update!

2008-08-04T21:23:00.003-07:00

First:
Good 'old Riccar got cleaned, and oiled, and some new toys!

~New walking foot- might help with quilting my DQS4- which I should really get working on!

I finally got some more bobbins for him (or her). I seriously have bought 4 different packs of bobbins- none of them would fit. Close but still wouldn't fit! Ebay helps again! I was able to get a bunch for really cheap!

-- So, do you have a gender/name for you machine(s)? I think my Riccar looks like a Ricchard (yes 2 c's!)

I placed my Sudoku quilt on the floor and got it all ready for sewing.

I dont know if I should wait till I finish putting all the 9 patches together first to get the backing, binding, and material for sashing, or fight the urge and get it tomorrow.

I also put together a little vest for B.B.

On Saturday he went on a car trip to Petsmart where he loved to sit in the cart and stare at the numerous tanks of fish.

I just need some Velcro to finish it off. Then to get started on clothes for the other cats.

Nancy from Blogging, Near Philadelphia held a giveaway because of her 500th post! She had a prize/prize package for each 100 posts. You could enter for one of the 5. I was the only one till someone else commented for the same prize I wanted. I was really interested to see how my luck was going and I am happy to say I won! Thanks Nancy!

Blah!

2008-08-04T21:08:00.000-07:00

I have reciently been in a posting slump! All I have to say is BLAH! I am kinda sad that school starts next week, but then again kinda excited. I have no clue, but have also been alittle depressed, and lived by the "dont have anything nice to say... dont say anything at all! So here I am breaking the silence! Dont worry I will have a few updates for you all really soon!

Quick Tell-

2008-07-29T22:26:00.002-07:00

-Stillwater Medical center.

So today I went to a water park in Phoenix, which we have gone to for the past 2 years, with a bunch of friends! I am sporting a great sunburn on my wrist from the bands we were supposed to wear. My friend put it on a little too tight so it didnt move and now I have this 1" wide band around my wrist that is much, much lighter than the rest of my arm and hand.

I have a few 50! blog posts to read! Did I mention that I read all of them this morning? yea!

169 blogs to the right!

Sudoku Quilt

2008-07-26T20:02:00.002-07:00

Its been too long since I have used the sewing machine! Yes I know it has only been like a week but that seems like a month to me! There are so many quits that I see on other blogs that I would really like to do, but I am really drawn to the Sudoku quilt.

-Joan Scott - Cliff Rose Studio (I love the colors!)

I posted about this fabric here and I think this will be perfect!
I am not going to use the brown, mustard yellow, and pink from the original 12, and instead use these 9.

I am going to use a black in between the 9 patches and as a binding/border. I guess I will have to go fabric shopping!

Remember to vote to the right! →

Well...

2008-07-25T20:50:00.003-07:00

Do you like the new appearance of Tanner's Notes? Please vote to the right →
If your not so fond of it- please comment and let me know how I might make it better-

Garden Update!
Sinfonian reminded me about the garden part of Tanner's Notes- Thanks... with everything going on- I completely spaced!
The tomatoes- are driving me insane! I think their dying... but then again-

Luckily not all of them are annoying! This one- actually two- are doing great! Now only if they would set fruit! The flowers have come and gone-

I am propagating smaller plants for use in reptile habitats- and these two are taking off!

I think these might be the white radish- finally!! They were planted in MAY!

The basil- post haircut- is looking ok-

I went in for a walking foot (ended up buying on Ebay- yes I am truly addicted!)
and came out with:

its made of newspaper-

it was coupon commotion week so of course I had to buy other stuff as well!

-anyone know how to sew these together???

Green Fabric- and white Muslin (not pictured).

The blog count is up to 167 →

Today's, Tomorrow's & the past few Yesterday's happenings!

2008-07-22T22:59:00.005-07:00

Today- The cats got bathes. It was so much fun *serious sarcasm* It is nice though to have them smell nice, and look fluffy! I guess it could have been payback from them getting sick everywhere! (Did I mention we have 4!)

Tomorrow: I hope to finally go get a walking foot so I can quilt it and send my DQS4 on its way! I might just have to pick up some fabric for this cool Sudoku pattern I am thinking about doing! If I can find the perfect fabric (for the perfect price of course!), and have the time I will put together a How-to and post it here...
I hope to find bobbins for my Riccar! They seem impossible to find!
Who knows I might stumble upon some things to giveaway! *Hint hint!

Past few Yesterday's: I entered the Blue Nickel Studio
Tootsie Pop Mini Quilt Challenge!
I will be posting some picks of the finished quilt after I send some pics off to Scott...

I have also been working on my knitting- I made some progress- might post a pic later.....

Isnt that the coolest thing ever!?!!! Its a Babette Blanket from flickr. The group is amazing! I am so going to try to make one! Seems simple enough just a few granny squares!

Edit- The blog count is now up to 160!
grr I hate typos! *happenings*!

New friend- Sammy!

2008-07-22T22:24:00.001-07:00

No I didn't just stumble upon a great blog who is written by Sammy! We have a new back-yard friend!

Construction-----

2008-07-16T18:29:00.003-07:00

Hi all 2 of you, that commented! I am going to be updating the appearance here so dont freak if it doesnt look like it used to. (I hope it doesnt!)

--- The blog count is up to 153! All available to the right!

Muhahaha!

2008-07-13T17:19:00.002-07:00

I found it!

-And many other things too! Including about 10yards of fabric! Looks like just enough to make a flag quilt for next year!
Isnt cleaning amazing!

I decided to put off quilting DQS4 till tomorrow.... I just want to sit, enjoy the rain, and maybe get started on these socks!

Update time!

2008-07-12T23:15:00.002-07:00

Wow my 50th post! Hmm I dont think there is enough readers to do a giveaway, but surprise me, if your out there post a comment on this post and I will have to rethink the giveaway thing......

I took a class a few years ago to knit socks, since that class I havent finished my "big people" socks and I have been thinking out working on them again. I said "big people" socks because my very first sock that I ever made was more of a baby bootie size, and I still on occasion make them for friends who have just had a child.

These are the infamous socks---

I really want to find the pattern for the "baby booties" and just increase the size.... I love that pattern. It was in a kit by Lorna's Laces, tomorrow I begin the search! I have to look in all of my books and cabinets! There are a few other patterns that look good, I don't think I can just rip out the socks so I am going to start on the other end of the yarn.

I have been looking for patterns on this really cool site-

-You have to wait 2 days to be "invited" but it is worth it! It is like knitting/crocheting Myspace!

More Ebay Goodness!-

This is my favorite fabric so far!

I have ideas for this too-

The seller was the nicest! In the package there was the nicest hand written note ever!

---Maybe that was why the fabric was my favorite!

I have not been having luck quilting the DQS4 project and my machine has been giving me a headache! I keep going back and forth between hand and machine quilting. Tomorrow I am either coming back with a walking foot (sounds like it would help) or a new machine (I wish). There is one that I have my eye on that *guess what* includes a walking foot, this might just be a cut two carrots with one knife thing! There are so many "big ticket" items that I want...new machine, digital camera, computer stuff, new furniture for the bedroom, and stuff for other hobbies! Just not enough excuses to justify the purchase!! I will report back and let you know what happened! Wish me luck!

I thought I would update the number of blogs I read every so often- as of now the count is 131!!
You can view any/all of them by clicking on their link on the right.

My blog- in so many words---

2008-07-09T18:48:00.002-07:00

Yes.. More fabric!!

2008-07-08T17:19:00.002-07:00

I have been finally getting shipments in- I totally forgot about Independence Day (US) that really puts a kink in all carriers. Anyways, the best, the BEST Flannel seller on ebay is pockbookity ! I just had to buy some squares to make a Christmas quilt!

PS- she wrapped it in my fav. color!!

I also bought:

- no clue what I am going to make!!

Even more fabric!

2008-07-07T20:05:00.003-07:00

I went into Jo-anns for some thread for my DQS4 project and just had to buy fabric!!

(I am going to use for my bedroom, these are the perfect colors!, and it was onsale!)

Can anyone say Spring Swap???

(backing for when I piece chess/checker boards)

well just- you know- just because!

Isnt this the coolest?!!! I hope someone has a boy baby soon! I will have to make them a quilt!

And the best! *drum roll please!*

-ohh!! Ahh!! White cotton fabric! I will show you what this is for soon!!!

New Fabric-

2008-07-07T18:04:00.002-07:00

So I have to share my Ebay addiction with all of you- here is only some of what I bought-

100 blogs!

2008-07-06T16:32:00.002-07:00

I read 100 blogs! Some of them are really great! You should really check them out!
- If you are one of the bloggers I have linked- I would super love it if you linked my blog!!

Hopefully 78 years doesnt change anything-

2008-07-05T22:13:00.000-07:00

140

As a 1930s husband, I am
Very Superior

Take the test!

PS- alot of blogs I have seen have taken this test- Go look to the right!

Happy 4th-

2008-07-04T12:14:00.002-07:00

I am off to do some things around the house, hope to get all of them done!

Basil Time!

2008-07-03T21:48:00.002-07:00

Well- it went from this

to this

and then to this

after having this removed

What it was removed for will be coming up soon!!

Ebay Addicted!

2008-06-28T21:27:00.002-07:00

-liewcf

I am currently bidding on 8 quilting items, have won 4, and am watching 4 auctions of fabric!!! I am getting pretty good prices, and have thousands of things planned in my mind!! Forget stash busting! I am finally building my stash!

On another note:

Another A! I am done with my summer class, and finally have lots and lots of free time!

Im in love!!

2008-06-26T13:49:00.001-07:00

I found my fabric paradise!!

WOW!!

These are my FAV. fabrics ever!!! I will be ordering many, many times!!

Doll Quilt Swap Progress-

2008-06-23T19:46:00.002-07:00

So today I pieced the pieces together and got all the rows put together, now I just need to put the rows together--- that's tomorrow!
Here is today's progress:

No the green and blue fabric is not part of the quilt- it is used to store the rows, and keep them from getting mixed up

As I finished them I pinned them to the fabric-

and when it was quitting time they were rolled up-

This is perfect for traveling quilts as everything stays perfect! No more lost or mismatched pieces!~!

Pattern Chosen!

2008-06-22T16:56:00.000-07:00

The is an update from the last post----
I am taking my 8 flower fabrics and cutting them into 2" strips- including (2) 1/4" seams.

I cut two strips from each of the 8 fabrics.
From there I cut the strips into different sizes. Those sizes are: 2", 3", 4" 5" & 6" (all including (2) 1/4" seam allowances).

My plan is to randomly put the 8 different fabrics and 5 different sizes to make a very scrappy looking square.

After I put them together I need to decide if I am going to cut them on diagonals to make 4 squares and flip 2 triangles, or just leave it as it is.

If I leave it square- for the backing I will cut my backing fabric into 4 triangles and piece them together to make a more quilted look.

If I cut it up- I will just leave the backing in one piece

Decisions.. decisions... decisions......

Pattern Choices!

2008-06-22T15:50:00.002-07:00

Choosing fabrics for a quilt- super easy!
Choosing a pattern for a quilt- super hard!
I scoured the internet for a pattern for my DQS4 quilt and found many that were great, but not what I was looking for- I even tried out a few.
I finally settled upon my own creation! It was inspired by a few miniature quilts I have seen-

- I know great huh! just kidding- that was when I had a mental road block.
More to follow about the pattern, soon! I have a few more cuts to make and then will show you!

Changes!

2008-06-22T07:46:00.002-07:00

If you clicked onto the blog yesterday- you probably thought you were on the wrong page- YOUR NOT! I am trying to change up the site and it is turning out to be a project! I ignored all of my emails and went to work for about 3 hours- no dice. I do however have a better understanding of the "guts" of Blogger. All of the codes are very confusing! I hope to do more this week and change the site-

Doll Quilt Swap-

2008-06-20T20:55:00.001-07:00

Hopefully by now you have noticed the addition of the DQS4 logo to the left (an many other new items, as well)

Anyways- I need to get cracking! The quilts need to be mailed by Sept. 1st. I have decided that I am going to hand quilt/button mine instead of fighting with my machine and ruining a quilt-

Here are the fabrics I am going to use-

Close up of backing fabric-

(same ones- wanted to use the back of my board to give contrast)

Buttons-

:D

The importance of Scrap-

2008-06-20T20:25:00.000-07:00

I use some of my scraps to test out patterns- yes the colors do not go together but maybe in a few years I could create an entire quilt out of my "test" blocks-

- The block above is from Carol Doak's free patten site-

Bird Models-

2008-06-20T19:40:00.003-07:00

We had one of the remaining roadrunners in our yard today-

and a pigeon who was practicing their modeling-

Mat Bath Time!

2008-06-18T17:03:00.000-07:00

After some attempted quilting- I realized my rotary cutting mat wasn't in the best shape- NEVER CUT BATTING ON A MAT!! Anyways it is soaking in my bathtub- in some vinegar and dish soap mixed with med. hot water-

off to take it out now. (it soaked for about 15 min.)

Back-up OCD

2008-06-17T19:27:00.003-07:00

Yea- if only a corrupted hard drive is that funny! I lost a hard drive about 1 year ago- had everything on it and lost it all- My "backup system" was copying my folder that I stored everything on and putting it on CD. I did this once. I was so surprised how well I handled it- no freaking out, no tears, harsh words, or vows to go Amish. I took that experience for me to realize that WHO CARES! I had to take that approach to survive!

Anyways, every now and then- I have a backup OCD craze! Today is the day- I am going to finally figure out a system that will continually back up my system (I say that every time) but it is going to happen!! (I say that every time too!) Im off to search! Dont worry I will report back with my findings!

Not in my compost bin.....

2008-06-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

~Of course not! Thats crazy talk!
I found this to be a great tool for reminding the others of the household to take off labels!

Rest in peace little guy!

2008-06-16T08:47:00.000-07:00

One of our 3- roadrunners were not so lucky crossing the street-

The woman who picked up the phone at animal control was incredibly rude! We thought we would call them to pick him up- it is our state bird, and is protected by law- so we didn't know if it was ok to remove him from the street- according to her, "its just a bird, all their going to do is throw it away." pssh! we marched out side- shovels and box in hand past the wide eyes of the neighbors, who were gathered outside right in front of him, and dug a hole in the alley-
today we saw one of the two remaining birds in the front yard- hopefully this one will not meet the same fate as its peer-

Sophisticated !!

2008-06-16T04:58:00.000-07:00

My, my, my-

(these were the day after the catnip photo shoot)

Photography Tip-

2008-06-15T20:44:00.002-07:00

If you have ever tried to take a picture of a cat, you know that they move at the exact second the shutter goes off- thats when catnip comes in handy- oh and creates a very interesting photo shoot-

1 semester down- 1 to go-

2008-06-11T21:51:00.002-07:00

I'm taking classes over the summer- its a lot to take in- as one class of a conventional 180 day school year is packed into 24 days- yea- but with the first semester behind me- only one more (12 days) to go-

Blog Game

2008-06-10T15:54:00.004-07:00

1. Unkar Delta from near the start of Tanner Trail near Lipan Point, 2. Garden bento, closeup, 3. Palo Verde, 4. Lime, 5. Snowy, 6. 'Nilla Bean Frap, 7. Excelente vista, 8. Reine's Vanilla Shake, 9. Anesthesia, 10. Each war is different, each war is the same, 11. Simply White Sands, 12. Waiting

This was on Paula, the quilter's blog- some minor edits-
Created with fd's Flickr Toys.
How to Play:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd's mosaic maker.

The Questions:

1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Favorite Climate?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One Word to describe you.
12. A pet-

Before & After-

2008-06-10T04:20:00.000-07:00

Transplanted Aloe-
Before:

After:

Container Tomatoes-
Before:

After:

Tomato plant that used to be in the center with the bigger tomatoes-

it got moved a few feet to the patio- I am going to try to train it up the beam- it already is flowering- hope to get some juicy tomatoes soon! I am setting a goal of July 4th-

Not my tomatoes!!

2008-06-09T22:26:00.001-07:00

From Azstarnet.com
"Lab tests confirmed five cases in Arizona, spanning Pima, Maricopa, Apache and Coconino counties, as of Tuesday, Arizona health officials said. The officials said Tuesday that one person had been hospitalized."

Hmm- lets add this to the pro side of growing your own food-!!!

-my tomato plants on their 2nd "wave" of production-

Doll Quilt Swap!

2008-06-06T19:58:00.000-07:00

I just joined my first Quilt swap-
The Doll Quilt swap- for more info click below-

!!

Once I get what kind of quilt I am making I will start posting pics of its progress- I will have to practice my binding and hopefully have my machine cooperate!

Front "garden" news:

2008-06-06T18:11:00.000-07:00

Its about time!
We got a notice that the roads in our neighborhood are going to be repaved. They are not that bad... but hey I wont complain.

-so- they want anything that overhangs into the street removed and this gives us motive to remove a lot of the cactus in the front, which everyone loves, except me. I am soo excited!
Saturday I dawn my chain mail and get to work on removing most of it-

Were taking it back about a foot past the yellow/black post (for speed bumps)...

Me 1- Them- 0

2008-06-06T15:29:00.000-07:00

Booya! As I am writing this I am listening to a gentle hum of the dishwasher- It is more of a green thing than a time thing- but also for me it is primarily an OCD thing. The dishwasher doesn't have hands that will get burnt if the water is too hot, and thats how I like it! Hot enough to kill germs!!
In order to use the dishwasher I had to prove my case before "the council"....
Here are the materials I used- they clearly and scientifically show that using a dishwasher uses less water, less detergent, and use less energy-

http://www.landtechnik.uni-bonn.de/ifl_research/ht_1/EEDAL_03_ManualDishwashing.pdf
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/08/dishwasher_vs_h.php
http://www.freshfromthefarm.us/earthtalk011006.html

PS- Blogger wont allow me to post links- sorry!
and that is not our dishwasher lol!

Life!

2008-06-06T14:47:00.000-07:00

Finally some life into my blog!!
Sorry for the lack of posts everyone, I have been very, very, very busy!
I hope to make a bunch of posts to catch up. Stay-tuned!

Speaking of life-
did you know the first week of June is national AED/CPR week?

(International symbol for AED. Should be posted by the AED, and helps rescuers to find it.)

I encourage everyone to get CPR, AED, & First aide certified! I am, and have been for a few years now. In fact, I just got re-certified last weekend.

AED stands for automated external defibrillator- a defibrillator is a great device that gives an electric shock to the fibrillating (quivering) heart. If you have ever seen a medical show on TV (ER, greys anatomy, scrubs, etc.) it is the thing that the doctors use when they say "clear", and rub the paddles together.

Now that you got AED 101- GO GET CERTIFIED! The Red Cross, Heart Savers, and many other places offer classes for very little cost!
Remember- you can't hurt someone who is already dead!

Photography Adventure-

2008-05-26T21:15:00.000-07:00

**** I hate power lines.. here is my can't beat them, join them shot from a little while ago

& Another taken today-

Recient Knitting-

2008-05-26T20:50:00.000-07:00

364 yards, 2 weeks, 50 sts. across & like 200+ rows- Finished size 13" x 33"
And best of all LIME GREEN!

With lime green knitting circulars to match!

Current knitting:
Same yarn- different color, and I am not using my lime green circulars but I am using my lime green straights- both were size ten (US)

Betsy Ross' Flag Quilt

2008-05-26T20:35:00.000-07:00

A project for my S.S. class two years ago-

Hello Sprouts!

2008-05-26T20:01:00.000-07:00

I spy- three of the white radish- the kale, or lettuce ground mix isn't growing yet

Garden Happenings-

2008-05-26T19:52:00.000-07:00

Lettuce Madly Growing-

Thought I would transplant a few into a larger pot-

Aloe Growing-

Above shot of the "Converted, Patio, Container, Vegetable, Garden"

The tomatoes are going insane-

Bonsai Mesquite-

Happy Memorial Day!

2008-05-26T19:15:00.000-07:00

Neighbors house across the street-

Our two flags 50 stars, and "Dont tread on me"-

Other neighbor Betsy Ross flag-

Garden Attractions-

2008-05-24T13:39:00.000-07:00

We added a humming bird feeder a few months ago and much to our surprise we had many visitors the first day. Now that it is summer the native wildlife is coming out and about. Today just on the humming bird feeder we have had bees:

& a woodpecker:

PS- yes its blue! We are doing a little of an experiment to see if there is a preference- so far the blue is attracting everything, with the red (before) primarily attracting hummingbirds.

Speaking of native wildlife out and about- our tortoises are awake- and have been for about a week but I am just now taking pictures of them. They are the perfect subject because their not that fast, but can get away from you!

Benefits Of Organization:

2008-05-23T21:53:00.000-07:00

Yes, of course when you organize one of the benefits is you are organized. Another great benefit to organization is FINDING THINGS! Look what I found:

6 skeins of yarn! Happy... Happy... Happy...

On the flip side there is FINDING THINGS!
Look what I found:

yea a school book! I guess I will have to hold on to it all summer and turn it in next year...

Organizing on the cheap!

2008-05-23T21:42:00.001-07:00

A few years ago I bought a tablet computer and saved the box. Why? I have no clue! I almost threw it away once but didn't...

After a year in a GATE course I have accumulated many scrapbook pieces; stickers, letters, pages etc.

Put the two together-

Whola! Instant organization.... Everything is in one place, not going to get dust, and most importantly lays flat!!!

Umm.. where are you sprouts?

2008-05-22T16:20:00.000-07:00

2 weeks ago, almost 3 I planted some white radish, kale, and lettuce mix. So far its not going so well- nothing growing.
Here are some pics of my garden bed-

Next year its getting a bumper crop, and growing some flowers, mainly some huge sunflowers to screen our *lovely* *sarcasm* up-for-rent neighbors house. I am also thinking about putting a square foot garden maybe 5'X5' as I have long arms and I think it would fit well.

Garden Visitor-

2008-05-22T16:19:00.001-07:00

We get lots of wildlife around here in the desert. I would take a roadrunner any day of the week rather than deer, which I heard can be an extreme pain!

Garden Post... Finally

2008-05-22T16:00:00.000-07:00

It is very windy today- not all bad, it did however snap one of my tomato branches- not a big piece but a decent size . Here are a few shots of my patio top container vegetable garden-

General Shot. We have 2 large cherry tomato plants (sides), a medium sized cherry tomato plant (center), Bell peppers (green pot to the left), Lettuce in back, and my tropical plant "greenhouse" off to the side.

Tomatoes-

My first tomato harvest May 5th-

"Greenhouse"

Lettuce-

Aloe plant transplanted front side yard, into an old pot on the patio-

It is doing really, really well.

Animal Testing is Animal Cruelty

2008-05-21T17:09:00.002-07:00

Animal Testing is Animal Cruelty

The speed in which we, as humans, make advancements in medical technology is becoming too fast for our own good. Even though we have firmly established the need for scientific evolution our ethics and morals have failed to progress. The knowledge we have acquired is remarkable, but at what cost? We torture and heartlessly kill creatures that we superciliously consider lesser beings simply at our disposal. For something as simple as eye makeup animals are tortured and blinded by tests performed at laboratories around the world. They are hardly fed, often forced to live in filth, and have their vocal cords removed to keep them quiet. In addition, cosmetic products are poured into the eyes and body parts of animals to determine the harmful effects they may cause despite the drastic physiological differences between humans and animals. Animals possess the same kinds of feelings and emotions as human beings, and are conscious of pain as well (PETA). Mankind often fails to give animals the respect and rights they deserve. Animals are treated as lifeless, scientific specimens that may be conveniently manipulated. On a daily basis most people do not see their own degree of unintentional support towards animal cruelty. However, when compiled on paper one must question how mankind can, with conscience, commit these acts which shame us as human beings.

Treatment of helpless creatures in laboratory research is cruel and merciless. No law requires that cosmetics and household products be tested on animals. Nevertheless, every day hundreds of animals will have had their eyes, skin, or gastrointestinal systems unnecessarily burned or destroyed. Two of the most common animal tests are the Draize, or eye irritancy test and the LD50 (Lethal Dose 50). The Draize test is performed almost exclusively on albino rabbits, such as the Forida White, because they are cheap, docile, and are do not have tear ducts to wash away the chemicals, interfering with the tests. During the test the rabbits are immobilized in a stock with only their head protruding and a solid or liquid is placed in the lower lid of one eye of the rabbit. Substances vary from mascara to aftershave and even oven cleaner. The rabbit’s eyes are clipped open and observed at intervals of 1, 24, 48, 72 and 168 hours (PETA). Reactions include inflammation, ulceration, rupture of the eyeball, corrosion and bleeding. Some of these studies continue for weeks; no measures are made to reduce suffering or treat the rabbits. Survival, however, will only lead to an entirely new set of tests, such as the skin irritancy or the LD50. Lethal Dose 50 refers to the lethal dose that is required to kill 50% of a test group. Animals are force-fed substances through a stomach tube and coerced to inhale a substance. These tests continue until half of the test animals die (CAAT). During these tests, animals will often endure excruciating pain, convulsions, loss of motor function, seizures, vomiting, paralysis and bleeding from every open orifice in the body. Any animals who somehow manage to survive testing are treated as waste and subsequently destroyed. There is also a Lethal Dose 100 test that determines the amount of a test substance required to kill 100% of the test animals. The skin irritancy test, similar to the eye irritancy test, is where an animal, most commonly a rodent, has a highly concentrated solution of a chemical in question applied to their skin. Their skin is then observed for signs of irritancy, such as redness and blistering. In some cases, the irritation can be so severe that the product actually burns through to the dermis.

Not only are these tests cruel, but the results are unreliable and unnecessary. As with the Draize test; rabbit’s eyes are not the same as humans; the main difference is the absence of tear ducts. In addition, different species react differently to various substances; substances that fail to damage a rabbit’s eye may be toxic to a human. Another example, exposed a variety of animal species to cigarette smoke, leading researchers to believe that smoking did not cause Cancer. Because of this, warning labels were delayed for years and manufacturers still use animal data to question the harmful effects of their products. Similarly, 150 years of animal “models” have produced 25 drugs “proven” effective against stroke, none of which work in humans. The drugs Oraflex, Selacryn, Zomax, Suprol and Meritol produced such adverse side effects in humans, including death, that they were removed from the market, though animal experimentation had predicted them all to be safe. The question of why such tests continue must be raised. Whatever the reason may be, animal research has achieved a certain level of status. Mankind has a tendency to seek out the fastest and easiest way to devise an answer, usually for the cheapest cost. Sadly, it seems animals may not be entirely saved from this tendency soon enough.
While animals continue to be violated in laboratories, a consciousness about our responsibility toward our relationship with animals has begun and continues to rise. As a result of pressures from animal advocacy groups such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), a number of large corporations have ceased all animal testing in recent years. These corporations include Avon, Amway, Benetton, Revlon and even General Motors, who used animals in crash/impact tests. In addition, the general public has begun to lean toward and seek out those products which are not tested on animals. Cruelty free cosmetics have led a trend among young, educated buyers.

Test results using methods, which do not include animals, have in fact proved more accurate and less expensive. For example, the Avon cosmetic company has endorsed EYTEX SYSTEM, an alternative to the painful Draize test. Alternatives to animal tests are efficient and reliable, both for cosmetics and household product tests. Non-animal methods take less time to complete, cost only a fraction compared to the tests using animals, and are not questionable concerning species differentiation which make results ironclad. Eytex, developed by InVitro International, uses a vegetable protein from the jack bean to mimic the reaction of the cornea when exposed to foreign matter. The greater the irritation, the more opaque the solution becomes. The Skintex formula, developed by the same corporation, is made from pumpkin rind; and mimics the reaction of human skin to foreign substances. Both can be used to determine the toxicity of more than 5,000 different materials. Eytex testing kits can test three concentrations of a chemical for $99.50; a Draize test of comparable range would cost more than $1000(PETA).

There are a lot of steps the consumer can take to help and prevent the destruction of our animals; and it is working. Some include purchasing cosmetics, personal care, and household products that have not been tested on animals. Another is boycotting companies who test their products on animals.

Society has begun to take notice of this serious global concern and it has been estimated that animal experimentation worldwide has decreased by 30-50% in the last 15-20 years. Humans have to understand that this planet is home to animals as well. Albert Einstein once said, “Our task must be to free ourselves…. By widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.”

My Job-

2008-05-20T22:15:00.001-07:00

Ever since I have been 11 I have worked with other youth my age at various retirement homes with the residents creating either afghans, or quilts. Below are some pics from the celebration of the quilts I did this year:

In the pictures are:
- Fish Community Quilt we all did fish blocks and I was the one to put them together
- I was able to finally get some creative licensing from my supervisor and use my design which was a pinwheel block from the book : Collaborative Quilting by Freddy Moran & Gwen Marston A preview is available from Google books HERE
- Fringe quilt- wrong sides together, clipped and ruffled seams create a great baby quilt!
- Another fish quilt- Me changing the pattern and earning some creative licensing
- Baseball Quilt- Kinda Fun!
- Bees! I really liked how the borders tuned out!

The only un-enjoyable thing about my job is that we are not allowed to use a rotary cutter- yea our supervisor has some phobia of us loosing fingers- she is extremely adamant when residents buy one that "even in their houses wear shoes" "If it drops it will cut off a toe" Umm I dont think so! I use them all the time at my house and never once cut myself! - but whatever that is life!
All of the quits and afghans are donated to Warm-up America http://www.warmupamerica.com/
and our local Red Cross to be given away!

Wow!

2008-05-19T20:31:00.000-07:00

Today, 4 days away from the end of school- I was pretty happy and ready to be done. Until I walked into our courtyard. There was tagging EVERYWHERE! Yea- I was pretty fed up and almost turned around and went home but luckily I found a group of friends and started walking around. One of them positively said at least there wasn't a school shooting. The usually optimistic me didn't even think of that. Maybe the graphic, racist, and extreme comments will finally show the school how racially the district and students are- but then again they don't care about anything unless it costs them money, or bad publicity..... Hmm I would love to contact our local news- if I had more pics I definitely would! I was going to snap pics but school security agents were everywhere looking at everyone- so only one pic below... expletives deleted. (No that is not someone tagging more, but an agent getting rid of names in the horrible comments..........

PS- I love my school----- ; - [ not ] - ;

Happenings on the Quilt Front....

2008-05-17T18:56:00.000-07:00

Part of the reason why I wanted to resume blogging is because one of the blogs I read mentioned a quilt swap. A little clicking later I found the link- http://fourseasonsquiltswap.blogspot.com/
Anyways to part take in the swap you must have a blog to show the progress of the quilt you are making for the swap. I was debating signing up for the summer quilt, pondering if I could finish a quilt in time for mailing to the recipient, when I checked and saw that it was closed- that is life.

For my GATE class we are doing a portfolio of our accomplishments of the year, our work, and my favorite a cover that is all about us. Of course I am going to include quilting and thought I would make something for the cover. It is roughly 13" x 13", and I made it in about an hour and a half- most of that was pulling out all of my quilting stuff and designing the pattern (below).

Through this I realized that I could in fact create a quilt for the upcoming swaps. Four Seasons Quilt Swap- here I come- next season! The finished quilt is below.

Pics-

2008-05-17T18:51:00.000-07:00

Some of the pics from my old blog-

2008-05-17T18:31:00.000-07:00

Blog's Intentions-

2008-05-17T17:15:00.000-07:00

I had an old blog- but I posted a few times and then forgot about it. I hope to post here about my photography, quilting, knitting, crocheting, gardening, and anything else that I can think of. My next few posts will be from my old blog- copying them to here, and catching up on things that should have been posted... stay tuned.